MagnoliaBT4

= The Federation requires a status report. =

Choose a Team reporter to place your team responses here. (Timothy Snyder - Pam Mackowski - Rob Haggart - Anthony Cortez - Carl Keller)

=Mini-Mission 1: Advocating and Implementing Project Based Learning= > >> PBL lessons are rigorous and relevant; provide Quadrant D lessons; includes critical thinking and real-world experiences. PBL is authentic, empowering, and motivating. PBL is inquiry-based and encourages collaboration and communication. It encourages creativity and includes 21st Century Skills. PBL lessons are remembered because students have a connection and an association to what they have learned. >> > >> >> Math: Use calculus to determine what type of vehicle to purchase and the rationale behind costs, size, safety. Provide to prospective buyers. >> Social Studies: Does more money buy a better education? Students will investigate costs of education, outcomes/hiring, provide information to college reps. >> Science: Eradicate fire ants on campus in an ecologically sound way; avoid use of toxic chemicals, investigate local ordinances. Present to district maintenance staff. >> Antiquan language arts: Read a classic; create a video to relate to a contemporary issue. Publish the video on the district website or have a "movie night." >> > > Learning without PBL: > > > Learning with PBL:
 * Reflect on what you have learned about the structure, components, and rationale for project based learning and complete this mission:**
 * 1) Provide a rational for why PBL will be more successful methodology than conventional means of lecture and large class discussion.
 * 1) Provide possible PBL projects for each of the subjects taught: math, social studies, science and Antiquan language arts.
 * 1) Provide either a short jingle to help the Antiquans remember project based learning or an illustration that would help the Antiquans remember project based learning.

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=Mini-Mission 2: Wisdom of the Crowd: Next Steps= After analyzing and synthesizing the ideas on your chart, work together as a team to wordsmith 5-10 measurable next steps around implementation of your category

This Wordle was created by typing in the comments on our poster. It's obvious that "Teachers" and "PBL" are the focus of our discussion. This second Wordle displays the priorities once "Teacher" and "PBL" are removed. This allows us to "drill down" to reveal what is important on the next level.

Our group member's thoughts:


 * Administration may need to shoulder the responsibility to hold teachers accountable for using technology. Work with administration to find ways that teachers can be supported and support each other.
 * Create a culture of sharing among staff and encourage "think tank" mentality. Develop ways for teachers to engage in professional discussions--inservice days? Cohort meetings?
 * The biggest challenge is to make a culture shift among resistant teachers. Baby steps! Spotlight those teachers who are trying new ideas, incorporating PBL, using technology in the classroom.
 * Support by a caring, competent coach is a HUGE factor in influencing change; utilizing as many coaches (one per department?) or student "helpers" can make a difference between teachers using and not using technology. Many of us are coaches for multiple buildings--and can't be everywhere all of the time. Create a "team" of support teachers in each building as the "go to" teachers who can help others implement PBL or technology use.

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=Mini-Mission 3: Know Your Support Systems - Full Speed Ahead= The results of the survey are here. We suggest that you save a copy of this spreadsheet so that you can sort it as you wish to be able to analyze the responses. (Team, Room, IU, etc)

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Team Mission―Five Questions

1. SAS Portal – community Listserve (CFF) Keystone Commons

2. Analyze levels of understanding through LOTI survey; continue technology boot camp; explore ways to inservice administrators

3. Keystone Commons or SAS Portal communities; networking through boot camp

4. Development of voluntary model curriculum on the SAS portal

5. All PA schools would be staffed by energetic teachers using technology and project based learning, who take advantage of professional development opportunities and who turn to the SAS portal as the “hub” of knowledge.

As districts are facing tough economic times, declining enrollment, reduction in staff, and budget cuts, coaches are given more responsibilities and, in some cases, positions are being cut. The state has wisely put in place tools that teachers can use to continue the mission the coaches have begun. Districts need to be creative in facilitating professional discussion and development to improve the methods of instruction to integrate technology and 21st Century Skills. Use of the SAS Portal for information and the Keystone Commons for collaboration will be the first line of defense for staff.

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=Mini-Mission 4: Model Lessons and Galactic "Monsters"=


 * Reflection on Model Lessons:** Use the Discussion tab to respond.

Discuss these prompts with your teammates > We agreed that open lines of communication will be key in overcoming monsters. Strategies include understanding the other point of view; use modeling (watch me do it -- do it together -- do it on your own); and reinforcing good instructional strategies. > Key people--technology supervisor, superintendent; curriculum coordinator, building principals; and TEACHERS!
 * Battling the Galactic "Monster" Discussions**
 * What strategies you have used to overcome the "monsters"?
 * Who are some of the key people in the district who MUST be on your side in order to be successful?
 * As you share your strategies, consider using some for your Individual Mission

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=Mini-Mission 5: Presentation to the Federation= After you have reflected (and revised?) your project, post it below. Either upload the file, embed the project, or post a link to your project.

//**Note**//: The Individual Instructional Coach Mission (IICM) should be uploaded to your specific IU page here. Please save your mission (document, podcast, movie, prezi, etc. ) with your name.

Post Final Team Mission Projects Here:
Fast Facts:

Of coaches surveyed, 46% reported being comfortable or very comfortable with the SAS portal. Additionally, 85% reported having good knowledge of the SAS portal. The coaches reported the most valuable tools on the portal as teacher tools, curriculum mapping, model lessons, and communities. The coaches reported the teacher resources on the SAS portal as the tools they are most excited about.

Our team feels that the SAS portal, the Keystone Commons, and the coach listserve as valuable resources to help sustain the momentum created. Below is a video that further explains the vision we see for the future of the Mission.

media type="custom" key="7500207"

We believe that teachers, empowered to grow, are our greatest strength and the future of education in Pennsylvania.

Rob Haggart, Grove City haggart@grovecity.k12.pa.us Tony Cortez, Riverisde Beaver County - tcortez@riverside.k12.pa.us Skype: tcortez27; tokbox: Tony Cortez Carl G. Keller, Whitehall-Coplay, Lehigh County Email: Kellerc@whitehallcoplay.org Twitter: cgkel628 Skype: cgkel.3881 Facebook: Carl Keller Tim Snyder, Forest City Regional Email: tsnyder@fcrsd.org Twitter: tsnyder_fcr Skype: timlsnyder Facebook: timlsnyder Pam Mackowski, General McLane School District: mackowski.p@generalmclane.org twitter and Skype: pammackowski Facebook: Pam Mackowski

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